[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 149 (2003), Part 21]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 29293]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                 TRIBUTE TO MR. ALBERT H. VIERLING, JR.

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ROBERT E. ANDREWS

                             of new jersey

                    in the house of representatives

                       Monday, November 17, 2003

  Mr. ANDREWS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to pay tribute to Mr. Albert 
H. Vierling, Jr., a community leader and veterans advocate from Berlin, 
New Jersey who died suddenly on October 24, 2003.
  A decorated Army Veteran of the Korean War, Al was a member of ANMAC 
VFW Post #6253 where he served as Service Officer and was the Commander 
for 12 years. He was a member, Service Officer, and past commander of 
American Legion Post #271. Al was the Commander of Camden County VFW 
District 1984-1985 receiving the All American District Commander Award. 
He was a 1977 founding member of the Camden County Veteran Advisory 
Committee. Al was a volunteer with the Camden County Veterans Affairs 
Office since 1990, becoming a part time employee with the Office while 
serving as Supervisor of Veterans Interment for Camden County.
  Al was also a leader in the greater Philadelphia labor community. 
Retiring in 1977, Al was the Shop Steward for Teamsters Union Local 628 
of Philadelphia where he worked for over 25 years. He was the building 
maintenance supervisor for the borough of Berlin for over 10 years. 
Additionally, Al was very active in community athletics as a founder 
and past president of the Interboro Athletic Association, former coach 
of the Overbrook Cowboys, and former member and coach of the Berlin 
Athletic Association.
  Whether he was helping veterans navigate the Veterans Administration 
bureaucracy, selling poppies each May to raise money for South Jersey 
veterans or organizing scores of events to pay tribute to our nation's 
heroes, Mr. Vierling worked tirelessly to assist and honor veterans. Al 
did everything in his power to make sure that our government upheld the 
promises it made to veterans and that the American people did not 
forget the sacrifices made and the freedom won by those who served our 
nation in uniform. Additionally, on the athletic field, Al taught 
scores of South Jersey youth the value of hard work and dedication.
  Mr. Speaker, Al Vierling left the First Congressional District of New 
Jersey a better place. He touched the lives of hundreds of people in 
South Jersey. His lifelong service will not be forgotten.

                          ____________________